Cut-out-switch apparatus



A. H. CANDEE CUT-OUT SWITCH APPARATUS April 29 1924. 1,492,157

Filed Oct. 6; 1919 Ground INVENTOR WITNESSES: Andrew hf Cam/ea ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 29, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW H. CANDEE, OF lI'I-"IFSBI'J'RG'H, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A'CORPORATION 0F PENNSYL- VANIA.

curour-swrrcn APPARATUS.

Application filed October 6, 1919. Serial No. 328,841.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that 1', ANDREW H. CANDEE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident. of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have in vented a new and' useful Improvement in Cut-Out-Switch Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to cut-out switch apparatus for dynamo-electric machines, and it has special relation to switch means for cutting'out either motor of a two-motor railway equipment.

In the prior art, the cut-out switch apparatus for a two-motor equipment has comprised two independent double-pole, doublethrow switches for individually excluding the respective motors. from circuit and, consequently, this switch apparatus has occupied a space comparable to that which would be necessary for a four-pole doublethrow switch. On theother hand, the customary cut-out switch for four-motor equipments has been a triple-pole,double throw switch. Consequently, the operating space 4 for a. four-motor cut-out switch has been only three-fourths of the operating space required forthe prior art two-motor cut-out apparatus. a i V y A For interchangeability, as ,well as for saving space and for more nearly standardizing cut-out apparatus for the two types of equipments, it is desirable to have the two-motor 1 cut-out switches fit in the same space as thatirequired for the four-motor cut-out switches, namely, substantially the same operating space as anequal-ca acity,'triple pole, double-throw switch. I ne object of myinvention,therefore, is to provide such Still another object of my invention is" to provide double-throw switch means for cutting out either'motor and having two members in substantial alinement for preventing the actuation of both switch means to the cutting-out osition.

Other. objects 0 my invention, directe toward compactness, simplicity and reliability, will become evidentfrom the following detailed description, taken-in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, where- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system of control embodying my present invention v Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are views, respectively in front elevation and in end elevation, of the preferred form of my cut-out switch apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a detail View of one part of the cut-out switch; and.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are detail views of portions. of the cut-out switch constructed in accordance with another form of my invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, the system here shown comprises suitable supply-circuit conductors Trolley and Ground; a'plurality of vehiclepropelling motors M1 and M2 an accelerating resistor 1; a cut-out switch apparatus 2 and a plurality of controlling switches for ,the'motors including a line switch LS, resistor-short-circuiting switches R1 to R4, in-

elusive, a series-connecting switch S and a pair of parallel-connecting switches P and G.

The motors M1 and M2 are shown as be- 7 jaws for the cut-out switch 2 are nine in number, being arrangedin three vertical rows of three each and respectively numbered from 3 to 11, inclusive. The intermediate horizontal row comprising jawsxt, 7 and 10 is of the familiar hinge or pivot variety, while the remaining jaws are of the well-known bifurcated type for receiving flat switch blades. r The movable switch element for the cutout switch portion 2 comprises a plurality of parallel-extending blades 12 and 13, the upper ends of which are joined by an insulating handle 14, and the lower ends of which are respectively hinged to switch jaws 4 and 7. A similar switch portion for cutting out the other motor M2 comprises two parallel-extending blades 15 and 16, the outer ends of which are joined by an insulating handle 17, while the inner ends thereof are respectively hinged to jaws 7 and 10. A single offset switch blade 18 is rigidly secured to the blade 12 and a similar offset blade 19 is securely fastened to the blade 16.

Consequently. the cut-out switch apparatus 2 comprises nine stationary contact ter minals or switch jaws arranged in a rectangle and two similar movable switch elements each being equivalent to a double-pole, single-tln'ow switch and a single-pole, singlethrow switch of the kniteblade type. Furthermore, the operating space required for the complete cut-out switch is equivalent to that necessar for an equal-capacity, triple pole, double-throw switch.

Assuming that the cut-out switch elements normally occupy the illustrated opposite positions, wherein the double-throw portions are actively connected, the motors may be started into operation by the closure oi the line switch LS, switch R1 and the seriesconnecting switch S. Since an auxiliary control system for actuating the various illustrated switches in the desired order may be readily devised by those skilled in the art. I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate or describe any such system. particularly since the connections of the system, outside of the cut-out switch arrangement, are well known.

lVith the switches LS, R1 and S closed. a circuit is established from the Trolley through conductor 25, switches LS and R1, conductor 26, the entire accelerating resistor 1, conductor 27, switch jaw 7, blade 13. jaw 6, conductor 28, armature A1, field winding F1. junction-point 29, conductor 30, switch jaw 3, blade 12, aw l, conductor 31, switch jaw 10, blade 16. jaw 11, conductor 32, series-connecting switch S,conductor 33, armature A2, field winding F2 and conductor 34: to Ground. The motors are thus con nected in series relation with the accelerating resistor across the supply circuit, in accordance with the usual practice.

The various short-circuiting switches R1 to R4, inclusive, are then manipulated in any preferred order to gradually short-circuit the resistor 1 and accelerate the motors to tulbseries relation. By closure of the switch P, opening of the switch S and consequent closure of the switch G, the familiar shunting type of transition to parallel relation of the motors is effected.

Under such conditions, the motor circuits may be traced as follows: from the resistor 1, through conductor 27, switch jaw 7, blade 13, jaw 6, conductor 28, motor M1 to junction-point 29, where a new circuit is continued through conductor 36, switch G and conductors 37 and 34: to Ground. A branch circuit is continued from the switch jaw 7 through blade 15, jaw 8, conductors 38 and 39, switch P, conductor 33, motor M2 and conductor 34 to Ground. The accelerating resistor 1 may then be again gradually excluded from circuit to accelerate the motors to full-parallel condition.

However, in case the motor M1 is grounded or otherwise damaged so that it is necessary to operate the vehicle by means of the motor M2 alone, the cut-out switch portion 2 is thrown to its opposite position by means of the handle let, whereby the blades 12 and 13 are disengaged from the jaws 3 and 6, while the oilset blade 18 engages the jaw 5.

Under such conditions, the motor M1 is cut out of circuit, as will be evident from the following tracing of the circuits: from the resistor 1, a circuit is continued through conductor 27, switch jaw 7, blade 15, jaw 8, conductor 38, jaw 5, otl'set blade 18, jaw 1-, conductor 31, jaw 10, blade 16, jaw 11, conductor 32, and thence through switch S and the motor M2 to Ground, as previously explained.

It the master controller (not shown) is thrown to its parallel position, the switches P and G will be closed and the switch S opened, as previously explained, but no change in the circuit of the motor M1 will occur, although the switch G will ground one terminal thereof. However, since the respective terminals of the motor M1 are connected to switch jaws 6 and 3, which are entirely disconnected from the system when the cut-out switch portion 2 is thrown to its cut-out position, it follows that no energization of the motor M1 can occur.

In the event that the motor M2 be damaged and it becomes necessary to remove it from circuit, the other cut-out switch portion 2 is thrown to its upper or cut-out position, whereupon a circuit is continued from the resistor 1 through conductor 27, switch blade 13, conductor 28, motor M1, conductor 30, switch blade 12, conductor 31, switch jaw 10, oiiset blade 19, jaw 9, and conductor 41 to Ground.

Since the left-hand terminal of the switch P is connected through conductors 39 and 38 to the switch jaw 8, while the right-hand terminal of switch S is connected through conductor 32 to switch jaw 11, it follows that both of these switches are cut out of circuit when the cut-out switch portion 2 is thrown to its upper position. One terminal of the motor M2 remains grounded through conductor 34, but no energization I of the motor can occur b "reason of the ar- 7 terminal of the motor M1 to Ground. through conductor 36,'switch G and con-, ductors 37 and 34; but, since thesame ter-,

rangement just mentions I I the master controller (not shown) should be thrown to its parallel position, the switch G will be closed "to connect one minal is already rounded througha circuit including con uctors 30, 31 and41, it

follows that no circuitchanges will be ef-.

fected by such closureof the switch G.

Consequently, the illustrated cut -out switch arrangement provides for complete removal from circuit of'-either of the two motors M1 and M2, whether the master con-.

trated switchjaws. 3 to 11, inclusive, in Fig.

1. The midd e horizontal row of jaws 44,

47 and 50 are of the familiar hinge or ivot type, the associated" switch blades ing loosely bolted in position. The 'remainin 1 v switch jaws are of the familiar bifurcat or double-blade type for resilient] receiving the single blades of'the movab a switch elements, as will be clear from their, simi-. larity to ordinar knife-blade switches.

A plurality o fparallelsextending knife 7 blades 52 and 53 have their outer ends seswitch-board practice.

curely. fastened to an insulating handle or rod 54, while the inner ends arepivoted' to the switch jaws 44 and 47. Similarly, switch,

blades 55 and 56 are rovided with an insulating handle 57 an are respectively piv-- oted to switch jaws 47 and 50. The two movable switch elements thus have a single point in common, viz, the central switch aw 47. I r i An oflsetblade 58 is secured to the inner end of the blade 52, as best shown in Fig. 4, being slightly inclined toward the switch jaw 45,'while a similar offset blade 59 is bolted to the threaded portions ofthe switch jawsthat extend beyond the rear side of the panel 42, in accordance with familiar For the urpose of preventing movement of the ouble-pole portions of the cut-out switch beyond the desired normal position, cotter pins 62 and 63 extend transversely throughthe switch jaws 43, 46-and 49 and 45, 48 and 51.

for interlocking purposes, asset forth below.

The operation of the cut-out switch apparatus that is illustrated in Fi 2 and Fig. '3 may be briefly set forth as ffilows. Normally, the two movable switch elements occupy the illustrated positions corresponding to the diagrammatic showing in Fig. 1. To cut out the motor M1, the handle 54 is actuated to effect disengagement of the switchblades 52 and 53 from the jaws 43 and 46, respectively, and to effect engagement of offset blade 58 with the jaw 45. Similar movement of the other switch element embodying the insulating handle 57 may be effected for cutting out the other motor M2.

However, it should be noted that both of the movable switch elements cannot occupy the cut-out positions at the same time, since, for example, after the left-hand switch embodying handle54 has been thrown to its lower or cut-out position, attempted upward movement of the other switch element to its cut-out position is prevented by reason of the substantial alinementof switch blades 53 and 55 and the associated portions, whereby the blade 55 will strike a screw 64, and such interference will prevent the attempted movement of the other cut-out switch element. 1

Moreover, such interference will occur.

very quickly after the; initial movementof switches occupy diagonally opposite positions, thus corresponding to the preferred form of m invention, as previously described. Nlne stationary contact members 73 to 81, inclusive, are arranged as already set forth. A pair of parallel extending blades 82 and 83 have their inner ends pivotally mounted on jaws Tel and-77, respectively, while the outer ends engage jaws '73 and 76, respectively. A suitable operating handle 8% for the blades 82 and 83 is provided. The inner blade 83 is of the familiar rectangular shape, while the outer blade 82 is of the form shown in Fig. 6, wherein a triangular portion or vertical extension 88 forms an integral part of the knife blade.

The other double-pole switch comprises parallel-extending blades 85 and 86, the inner ends of which are hinged to jaws 77 and 80, respectively, while the outer ends engage jaws T8 and 81, respectively. An operating handle 87 joins the blades 85 and 86, which correspond to blades 83 and 82, respectively. In other words, the outer blade 86 has the form shown in Fig. 6.

Consequently, either of the double-pole switches may be thrown to the opposite position to effect engagement of the triangular portion 88 of the blade 82 or the blade 86 with the jaw '7 5 or the jaw 79, respectively. However, the other blade of the actuated switch will not engage any jaw, since the limiting position of the blade portion 88 is such as to prevent such engagement. Thus, the modified form of cut-out switch shown in Fig. 6 may perform the same functions as the preferred form of switch that is illustrated in Fig. 2.

I do not wish to be restricted to the spe cific circuit connections, structural details or arrangement of parts herein set forth, as various modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed upon my invention as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a pair of dynamo-electric machines, and means for effecting series-parallel control thereof, of switch means for cutting out either machine comprising two movable switch elements each adapted to function as either a single-pole, single-throw switch or a double-pole, single-throw switch.

2. The combination with a pair of dynamo-electric machines, and means for effecting series-parallel control thereof, of switch means for cutting out either machine comprising two movable switch elements having only one member in common.

3. The combination with a pair of dynamo-electric machines, and means for effecting series-iarallei control thereof, of switch means for cutting out either machine comprising two double-pole switch elements normally occupying opposite positions and having a single intermediate member in common.

a. The combination with a pair of dynamo-electric machines, and means for effecting series-parallel control thereof comprising a series-connecting and a parallelconnecting switch, of switch means for cutting out either machine comprising a movable switch element for directly interrupting connections to one machine and another movable switch element for directly interrupting the respective connections to said switches.

5. The combination with a pair of dynamo-electric machines, of double-throw switch means for cutting out either machine and having two members in substantial alinement for preventing the actuation of both switch means to the cutting-out position.

The combination with a pair of dy namo-electric machines, of switch means for cutting out either machine comprising two movable switch elements having a singleintermediate stationary member in common, whereby either element is prevented from being thrown to its cut-out position when the other element has already been actuated to its cut-out position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 30th day of Sept, 1919.

ANDREW H. CANDEE. 

